Canadarm3

Canadarm3 is the MDA Space-built robotic system for the lunar Gateway program. It combines a large arm, dexterous arm, specialized tools and ground-control software to inspect, maintain and repair infrastructure, relocate modules, support spacewalks and capture visiting spacecraft with high autonomy.

Facts

  • Company: MDA Space
  • Type: Space Robot
  • Positioning: Dual-arm system
  • Function: Gateway servicing
  • Audience: Space agencies
  • Status: Development
  • Website: https://mda.space/space-exploration-and-infrastructure/

About

About Canadarm3

Canadarm3 is MDA Space's autonomous robotic system for NASA's lunar-orbiting Gateway station. It combines a large arm, a smaller dexterous arm, specialised tools, external attachment interfaces and ground-control software for assembly, maintenance, science operations and astronaut support.

Machine vision, artificial intelligence and mission-planning software are being designed to let the system inspect and repair Gateway with minimal intervention from Earth, roughly 400,000 kilometres away. The arms can reposition around standard interfaces, handle replacement units and payloads, capture visiting spacecraft and assist spacewalks. A Canadian Space Agency contract is funding final design, construction, integration and testing of the flight system.

Specifications

  • Length: 8.5 m large arm
  • Mass Kg: 1,076 kg estimated mass for the large arm
  • Degrees Of Freedom: Seven degrees of freedom
  • materials and robotics supply chain: Carbon-fibre composite
  • System Components: Exploration Large Arm, Exploration Dexterous Arm, specialized tools, ground control and AI-based mission-planning software
  • Delivery Window: Delivery to Gateway no earlier than 2029
  • Orbital Distance From Earth Km: Approximately 400,000 km from Earth in lunar orbit

Market context

Space agencies

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Timeline

  • MDA Space reports C$99.5 million in Q2 robotics revenue - 2026-08-07 - Market Signal - First-half Robotics & Space Operations revenue reached C$191.1 million, up 15.6% from C$165.3 million a year earlier. Quarterly segment revenue increased by C$11.5 million, while first-half segment revenue increased by C$25.8… - source: prnewswire.com
  • MDA Space wins C$1 billion Canadarm3 flight-system contract - 2024-06-27 - Contract Award - The system comprises a large robotic arm, a smaller dexterous arm, specialized maintenance and science tools, and a ground command-and-control segment. MDA Space will support commissioning from its Space Robotics Centre of… - source: mda.space
  • MDA Space completes first commercial sale of Canadarm3 technology - 2022-05-03 - Commercial Order - The interfaces provide permanent fixture points for future robotic-arm integration after Axiom Station separates from the International Space Station. Canadarm2 will use the interfaces while helping assemble the initial… - source: mda.space

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